Andrea Sonnleitner
Dina Bacovsky
AquaFUELs Roundtable – Conference Review
Conference review of the AquaFUELs Roundtable on
21st and 22nd of October 2010 in Brussels
Date 14 February 2011
Number 450 TR IK-I-1-81 02
BIOENERGY 2020+ GmbH
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AquaFUELs Roundtable
Table of Content
1
Conclusion
4
2
AquaFUELs Project
6
3
AquaFUELs Roundtable Presentations
7
Presentation of the AquaFUELs project and the Roundtable
7
State of the Art of algae biofuels production
8
Overall sustainability of algae biofuels
11
Biotechnology and technical challenges
13
Status of research in algae use for biofuels and future perspectives
17
4
Annex
21
AquaFUELs Roundtable Programme
21
AquaFUELs Roundtable Participants
21
AquaFUELs Roundtable
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1
Conclusion
The AquaFUELs project intends to give an overview of research, assess if improved
sustainability can be delivered through current research (lifecycle analysis) and identify
the needs for further research. Additionally, AquaFUELs will structure relations
between researchers, companies and regulators via the creation of the European
Algae Biomass Association (EABA).
The AquaFUELs Roundtable presentations comprehensively reviewed all aspects of
algae biofuels. Several contributions presented research work carried out at
Universities and in companies, covering algae strain taxonomy, harvesting methods
like membrane separation, and new reactor designs. Several testing facilities for algae
cultivation systems already exist or are under construction in Israel, Italy, the
Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Czech Republic.
Business models proposed include the harvest of natural algal blooms, co-locating
algae production with a cement factory, and the green desert project which allows low
cost production of a range of biomass products at deserted lands in Africa.
All major reports and cost analyses outline that algae cultivation is currently too
expensive for the production of only biodiesel, which is a low value product. Experts
advise to use a multidisciplinary approach dealing with molecular, engineering, biology,
upscaling, logistics, and sustainability issues. Some are in favour of microalgae
biorefineries which should focus on the extraction of high-value components
(cosmetics, food, chemistry, plastics) with energy as the co-product. The productivity of
algae systems is limited physically to 24 g/m2/day or 80 t/ha or 30-40 t of oil /ha under
optimal climatic conditions. Today in real systems productivities of 11 g/m2/d are
reached.
The sustainability of algae biofuels production systems has not yet been proven, as no
large-scale facilities exist. LCAs at this point of time are speculations only and should
be based on pilot plant data from > 6 months of operation. The received data and LCA
should be used for guiding research but not yet for policy advice. Within the EU27,
algae production systems will need to prove 60 % of GHG reduction. In the 2012
update of RED default values, algae biofuel pathways will most likely not be included.
A discussion on GMO revealed that this approach holds both threats and opportunities:
on the one hand, risks are high, as the genome comes out with the algae biomass; on
Conclusion
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the other hand, GMO may provide major breakthroughs that could not be achieved with
selective breeding.
All experts agreed that education and training in the field of algal biofuels is necessary.
The attendees of the AquaFUELs Roundtable agreed that this event was a great
success and that they were looking forward to the transparency and structure which the
project will add to the sector.
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2
AquaFUELs Project
AquaFUELs intends to establish the state of the art on research, technological
development and demonstration activities relevant to producing 2nd generation
biofuels from non-food aquatic biomass, including algae. In order to understand the
place of algae and aquatic biomass in the EU renewable energy sources portfolio,
AquaFUELs will promote critical thinking and reasoning on the state of the art in this
field.
The Roundtable was a milestone in the AquaFUELs project. The select panel of
experts composing the Roundtable identified future research needs and potential
industrial developments, with a careful eye to sustainability and social implications. The
panel of experts invited to contribute to the presentations and following discussions of
the Roundtable was composed of the leading experts in the field of algae biomass as
well as from the biofuels community, while the chair was the Secretary-General of the
European Biodiesel Board and Executive Director of the European Algae Biomass
Association, Mr. Raffaello Garofalo. The outcome of the Roundtable was a realistic
perspective on algae use for biofuels production – a necessary step towards future
developments.
In addition to the scientific significance of gathering international experts to assess the
state of the art of algae technologies for biofuels production, the objective of the
Roundtable was to analyse the findings of the first half of the AquaFUELs project and
to define the great orientations for the further activities until June 2011. Indeed, the
state of the art identified during the first half of the project was instrumental in
assessing the sustainability of algae-to-biofuels pathways and identifying the need for
further scientific and industrial developments, which will constitute the second half of
the project.
AquaFUELs gathers the Università degli Studi di Firenze, Diester Industrie
International, Wageningen Universiteit, the Ben-Gurion University, the Almeria
University, Roquette Frères, the Irish Seaweed Center, the University of Gent, NectonAlgafuel, the Imperial College and the Czech Institute of Microbiology ASCRe under
the co-ordination of the European Biodiesel Board.
On 23rd – 27th of May 2011 the final conference of the AquaFUELs project will take
place after a project duration of 18 months.
More information is available at the AquaFUELs website www.aquafuels.eu.
AquaFUELs Project
Page 6 of 21
3
AquaFUELs Roundtable Presentations
Presentation of the AquaFUELs project and the Roundtable
Philippe SCHILD, European Commission, DG Research:
In the last 5 years there was a boom in algae. The commission wanted to fund algae
projects already in 2007, but none of the proposals was positively evaluated.
The AquaFUELs project has 3 aspects: finding the state of play, research needs and
structuring the area.
Mario R. TREDICI, University of Florence, President EABA:
Objectives of the AquaFUELs Roundtable/project
AquaFUELs intends to give an overview of research, assess if improved sustainability
can be delivered through current research (lifecycle analysis) and identify the needs for
further research. Additionally, AquaFUELs will structure relations between researchers,
companies and regulators via the creation of the European Algae Biomass Association
(EABA).
WP 1 deals with description of the state of the art and creates deliverables on
taxonomy (D1.2), major stakeholders (D1.3), biology and biotechnology (D1.4), biofuel
production processes (D1.5) and mapping (D1.6).
The milestone of WP 2 is the roundtable where information is gathered on main
projects in Europe.
WP 3 deals with the issue of sustainability creating economic, environmental and
societal evaluation of algae biofuels and production processes.
Raffaelo GAROFALO, European Biodiesel Board:
AquaFUELs findings:
The AquaFUELs project created a questionnaire on algae biofuels in Europe and
worldwide: a WHO’S WHO and survey questionnaire. They received 120 answers from
600 questionnaires sent out. The responses were 90 % European answers and 10 %
from outside Europe, mainly from the USA. 50 % of the respondents were from the field
of research or academia, 25 % were from the industry. The purpose of the algae
cultivation was 75 % for energy and 25 % for others like feed and food, aquaculture or
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AquaFUELs Roundtable
fine chemicals. The most frequently used algae strains were Chlorella and
Nannochloropsis. 60 % of the respondents use photobioreactors for cultivation, 6 %
open ponds and 33 % both systems.
The questionnaire is available on the AquaFUELs website (http://www.aquafuels.eu/).
State of the Art of algae biofuels production
Bert LEMMENS, VITO:
Water recycling and harvesting of algae via membrane separation
For cultivation of algae a lot of water is required, and for harvesting the algae a lot of
water needs to be removed. For producing 50.000 t/yr algae in open ponds 11.400
m3/h and in photobioreactors PBR 1.100 m3/h water has to be removed. This water will
contain algae and nutrients, thus it should be recycled. It also contains suspended
solids, pathogens and inhibitors (metabolites). A closed or semi-closed water cycle is
necessary.
VITO uses known technology from membrane bioreactor applications with 0,04 – 0,4
µm pore size. They have an integrated permeate channel 3-D structure on which the
membrane is woven on top. A suspension flow of 20-30 l/m2/h for Nannochloropsis is
best. VITO proposes first low cost harvesting, afterwards membrane filtration.
Membrane filtration should be also used for the effluent from the centrifuge. Membrane
separation will effectively remove viable algae and suspended solids, some of the
pathogens, but not the dissolved inhibitory substances. Submerged membranes can
achieve 99,5 % efficiency in biomass harvesting.
The ALCHEMIS project is an abbreviation for “algae for chemicals production and
emission abatement”. The project runs from 2010 until 2012 with a budget of 1 million
EUR; in cooperation with GEA and Desmet Ballestra (oil processing). The goal of the
project is to close the circle for the chemical sector by using waste gas streams and
effluent to produce new renewable resources. The research topics treat upscaling of a
novel photobioreactor, use of waste CO2 and nutrients, water management, lowering
harvesting costs, wet downstream processing and product development.
René WIJFFELS, Wageningen University:
Biofuels and biochemicals from microalgae
Algae cultivation is too expensive for the production of only biodiesel, which is a low
value product. The costs of algal biomass are 10 €/kg DW on 1 ha scale. On 100 ha
scale 4 €/kg DW are already achieved and 0,4 €/kg DW for algae biomass will be
possible.
State of the Art of algae biofuels production
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To reduce cost and optimize the process a multidisciplinary approach is necessary
dealing with molecular, engineering, biology, upscaling, logistics, and sustainability
issues.
The provided budget for algae research in Europe compared to USA is very low.
Europe has little multidisciplinarity, is weak in biorefinery, life cycle analysis LCA,
genetically modified organisms GMO,…. The US are better in GMO, LCA, draw their
attention both on food and fuel, they perform strong in two stage raceway ponds, but
they are poor in PBR and biorefinery is still weak.
What researchers should do in Europe is to look at PBR and ponds, become active in
all disciplines, talk about possibilities instead of problems, develop a vision/roadmap,
lobbying and team up with the industry.
At Wageningen University the WETSUS project is running, consisting of 7 PhD
projects. 14 companies support or fund the project. WETSUS is dealing with PBR
design, degassing, CO2 transfer, biorefinery, harvesting, metabolic fluxes, scenario
studies and others. Wageningen University is involved in small demo projects, wants to
work on biorefinery issues such as mild cell disruption techniques, and fractionation of
biomass with maintenance of functionality of proteins including an international
graduate program.
The AlgaePARC project focuses on upscaling of various systems. It shall be an
international independent centre of applied research, between basic research and
applications. The parc facilities are under construction and a research program is
funded for 2011-2015.
Robin SHIELDS, University of Swansea:
Energetic Algae project
The University of Swansea wants to start an energetic algae project with 19 partners
with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions in northwest Europe. The project proposal is
still in review. Swansea University is also a partner in the European FP7 BioAlgaeSorb
project. BioAlgaeSorb will focus on enabling European SMEs to remediate wastes,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce biofuels via microalgae cultivation.
In WP 1 of the energetic algae project a network of pilot scale algal culture facilities is
created and best practices are shared. WP 2 wants to create a sustainable algae to
energy market in north-western Europe. In WP 3 a knowledge based decision support
tool will be developed.
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Wolfgang TRUNK, European Commission, DG Health:
A new regulation is in application since 1st September 2010, it abolishes pre-market
authorisation procedure for feed materials. Formerly the bio-protein regulation required
this; now regulation 767 of 2009 (Regulation (EC) No 767/2009) is in application which
regulates the placing on the market and the use of feed.
The catalogue of feed materials is very extensive and contains a chapter for algae and
fermentation products. Industry might improve this catalogue through better
descriptions of existing feed materials or through addition of new feed materials (now
600 feed materials are listed including algae products but not yet published). The
catalogue adds to market transparency, but cannot improve the safety of products.
Addition to the catalogue of products from genetically modified algae strains might
pose problems. The best is to cooperate already on the research level as to allow EC
for insight on toxicological issues of these products.
Discussion:
Economic feasibility and costs:
Education and training in the field of algal biofuels is necessary. Academics and
industry need to work together to improve education and training. Coordination of
legislation, industry and researchers is substantial.
If waste water is used for algae production, then the product can not go into animal
feed. The European legislation is very strict; some products cannot be sold there.
The EU has a huge deficit of proteins and feed, but algae biofuel producers should not
rely too much on the protein market for the by-products, because that might be
saturated soon. A major problem in Europe will not be the costs of algae production
and conversion but finding suitable land areas for cultivation.
It’s necessary to define the type of cost: is it for algae biomass, algae products or
refined biofuels? Is harvesting or drying included? To reduce the costs microalgae and
macroalgae can be mixed (macroalgae are on the market as a commodity).
Macroalgae may be used as feedstock for ethanol fermentation. By usage of waste
heat from CHPs a further reduction of algae production costs can be achieved.
García-Reina stated that costs for today’s production of microalgae are 5 $/kg for
Spirulina (30 t/ha/yr), 17 $/kg for Dunaliella (2 g/m2/d), and the market price of
macroalgae is around 1 €/kg. Predicted costs for microalgae are 1 €/kg or less than 0,5
€/kg without paying for CO2 or nutrients. Predicted costs for macroalgae in the sea are
0,2 €/kg.
State of the Art of algae biofuels production
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Coordination efforts:
Algae are already part of ETP Biofuels, EIBI already incorporates algal biomass. It is
better to tie up with existing than to fragment the field and set up new organisations.
Algae LCA:
It is important to define the strain of algae for which the data is reliable and proven. For
data on productivity not laboratory data should be used but pilot plant data from > 6
months of operation. The upscaling to commercial scale should be done in an
optimistic way (assumption that the same productivity could be reached).
The received data and LCA should be used for guiding research but not yet for policy
advice. A lot of LCAs are based on old data, but new data or technologies become
available every 1-2 years.
Algae contain much protein and can replace high amounts of animal feed, thus they
should be considered to have a land-use change in the other direction than usual.
In the AlgaeParc of Wageningen University it will be able to test new algae cultivation
systems. In Israel it is already possible to test new reactors. The University of Florence
spin-off company will also test systems. Testing facilities are also found at Almeria
University in Spain, in Portugal and in Czech Republic.
Overall sustainability of algae biofuels
Raphael SLADE, Imperial College London:
Sustainability assessment
A literature review on algae LCA identified 7 key studies from Kadam, Lardon, Clarens,
Jorquera, Sander & Murthy, Stephenson, Campbell (all 2009 or 2010 except for Kadam
2002). The productivity values have been called into question, normalised
productivities range from 10-112 t/ha/yr.
The initial conclusions about algae LCA are that all algae LCA are speculative and rely
on extrapolation. Data transparency is an important issue. LCA can only loosely guide
policy until commercial processes are known.
Griet CASTELEYN, University of Gent:
Mapping
Task 1.9 of the AquaFUELs project deals with mapping available natural resources in
artificial, marine and freshwater bodies. Mapping will cover both natural resources for
AquaFUELs Roundtable
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AquaFUELs Roundtable
algae and other aquatic biomass, as well as land resources necessary to open ponds
or photobioreactors for massive production of microalgae. Natural blooms, wastewater
streams, polluted rivers and lakes will not be forgotten. The first part describes naturally
occurring algal blooms as potentially interesting resource for the production of biofuels.
The aim of the second part of this task is to develop an European map with potentially
ideal locations for algae cultivation on large scale.
René WIJFFELS, Wageningen University:
Sustainable production of algal biofuels
Is it possible to replace all transport fuels in Europe (400 mio m3 of lipids needed)? A
surface area of Portugal would be needed and 40 times the amount of soy protein
imported in Europe would be produced as by-product. In a biorefinery only a portion
(15 %) of the profit would come from biofuels, more money comes from by-products.
The AquaFUELs project works also on design scenarios to develop scenarios for
production of energy carriers at very large scale.
Wijffels suggests to use GMOs and to use LCA to identify bottlenecks. Production in
PBR could become cheaper than in ponds, probably submerged systems shall be used
to receive a sustainable production of algal biofuels.
Ron VAN ERCK, European Commission, DG Energy:
EU legal requirements for algae sustainability
60 % GHG reduction is necessary for new installations after 2017 – these will apply for
algae biofuels. Rules on chain of custody must respect mass balance approach.
8 voluntary schemes of member states have been received so far by the commission.
The question on default values for algae biofuels was answered in that way that algae
will not be included in the first update 2012 of the directive.
Stefan LEU, Ben Gurion University:
Sustainability impacts of algae biofuels production
The issue of sustainability should have been tackled before any other research
activities. There is a triangle of conflicts between water, food and energy. Algae are the
only source that could cover the worldwide fuel demand entirely based on land areas.
A sustainability driven system design would consist of cultivation in lined open ponds
and 5 % panels using seawater or waste water. A strain with high oil content would be
used in a one-stage cultivation. Conversion would be carried out by hydrothermal
Overall sustainability of algae biofuels
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upgrading HTU, combustion of residues on site, combustion of biomass, waste or
natural gas on site. The biological effluent would be treated for nutrient recovery and
recycling. Nutrients can come from e.g. dairy farms, excess manure. Biorefinery
concept together with biogas production is preferable where algae grow on effluent
from biogas.
Discussion on sustainability:
While open ponds have been developed for low energy requirements for quite a while,
PBR have been employed for production of high-value products, where development
for low energy input was not an issue. Energy balance for PBR is negative, for open
ponds it is positive. Probably a combination of small closed system for inoculation and
large open system for production is needed.
LCAs at this point of time are speculations only, because no real data on algae
production exists. LCAs should be done with pilot plant values.
Cultivation should be transferred towards industry sites, using waste water, waste heat
and flue gas.
Biotechnology and technical challenges
Marco BROCKEN, EVODOS:
Low-cost algae biomass harvesting
Evodos is a young company, applying membrane technology of Pall and their own
dewatering technology which is a centrifuge. Algae harvesting starts with membrane
technology in a rather dilute system (optimum 4 % concentration) and a centrifuge is
added (3.000 g) when the suspension has been concentrated. This technology is called
Evodos SPT technology and discharges a paste where algae are still viable after this
separation. The experience of Evodos leads to a calculated separation efficiency of 95
% at 12 m3/h, but the technology needs to be validated with the specific algae strain.
Costs on a large scale (5.500 m3/h) are 172 €/t algae dry weight, with preconcentration
the costs are 92,19 €/t. Energy consumption is 0,11 kWh/kg DW which means that only
2 % of the energy in the biomass is used for harvesting.
A cell disruption technology is under development to harvest and extract algae in one
process step. First algae are cracked, then a 3-phase separator separates oil/lipids
from water and biomass.
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Alessandro FLAMMINI, FAO:
Algae-based biofuels: Application and Co-Products
Within the FAO the Aquatic Biofuels Working Group (ABWG) has been established.
The scope of this group is to understand the state of the art, facilitate linkages between
groups and disseminate knowledge.
The report “Algae-based biofuels: a review of challenges and opportunities for
developing countries” shows that algae have a potential for developing countries, but
not in short or medium term. Capital investment and technology capacity (economy of
scale, foreign investments, engineering expertise) are required. The scope of ABWG
was broadened to co-production of fuel, food and other valuable co-products to break
through the barrier of economic viability (minimum cost of product 0,6-7 €/kg biomass –
co-products for competitiveness), while at the same time producing a new protein
source for human, livestock and fish consumption.
The report on “Algae-based biofuels - applications and Co-products” is finalised (2010).
Integrated Food and Energy Systems (IFES) could help with a number of
energy/environmental problems, but still require high investments. Market compatible
products are fertilizers, inputs for the chemical industry, and alternative paper fibre
sources. The products can be customized on local needs but viable algae-based IFES
concepts are more complicated than agriculture-based.
Philippe WILLEMS, Orineo Original Renewables:
Algae product valorisation
The main statement of this presentation is that microalgae are far too valuable for
energy purposes, the energy market price is too low to cover the potential production
cost of microalgae and a microalgae biorefinery should focus on the extraction of highvalue components (cosmetics, food, chemistry, plastics) with energy as the co-product.
A fractionated approach should be used where 40 % of the material has high value
which pleases the investor and 50 % of the material is environmentally good.
The application should be developed following the market demand. Fractionation
technologies should be used to produce different products.
Sofie VAN DEN HENDE, Ghent University:
PhD work: Carbon and nutrient scavenging from sewage and flue gas with
MaB-flocs
Publications on algae greatly outnumber the industrial implementations. Microalgae for
biofuel production are not yet economically viable because microalgal biomass is
Biotechnology and technical challenges
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expensive. Main costs are carbon, water and nutrients and harvesting. Flue gas is a
cheap carbon source, sewage is a cheap water and nutrients source and
bioflocculation is a cheap harvesting method,
MaB-flocs (micro-algae and bacteria) help with settling. In laboratory experiments PBR
was used, but for large-scale open pond system would be used.
Natural settling was induced by local microalgae strains and activated sludge. The
results were good productivity (0,05 – 0,19 g/l/d) combined with successful treatment of
sewage and flue gas.
Guillermo GARCÍA-REINA, University of Las Palmas:
Green desert project
For a positive LCA nitrogen, phosphate, pumping and CO2 have to be for free, this can
be made possible through Integrated Aqua-AgroBiotech IAAB. With photovortex
system (PBR) productivities of > 100 t/ha/a can be reached.
Locations in African deserts near the coast with an area of 20.000 km2 exist which are
below sea level. So pumping is for free, water is for free and light is for free. These
areas are called shebka, this is what is left from a lake that has evaporated. The salt
crust makes it very sunlight reflective. IAAB-module consists of PBR farm, animals for
nutrients, seaweed raceway ponds, fish cultivation, sea cucumber cultivation,
mangrove forests, Dunaliella and Artemia cultivation, marshland, birds and reptiles,
halophytes and salt ponds in the end. Water from the sea is continually concentrated
throughout the multipurpose biomass production system.
20.000 km2 shebka areas have been identified. The international IAAB centre is
located in Gran Canaria where first experiments for the green desert project are
conducted.
Clayton JEFFRYES,
Bioengineering (GEBI):
Louvain
University,
Laboratory
of
Novel PBR-based approaches for improved productivities of algal cell cultures –
the role of material science in algal cultivation
There are many configurations of PBR designs which can be optimized by decreasing
volume, light dilution, improve mixing, improve mass transfer and control temperature.
Material science can improve PBR by increasing material lifetime, eliminating cell
adhesion, reducing accumulation of oxygen or water loss, cell separation or optimising
material costs. It is necessary to involve industrial players like Exxon-Mobil and Dow
Chemicals and other industry into PBR design. Technologies with new materials are
developed by Proviron and Solix G4 (membrane material). Encapsulation materials can
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AquaFUELs Roundtable
be used or semi-enclosed cultivation can be carried out in bags rolled out on the
ground.
Development of PBR from semi-permeable membrane, which would allow the oxygen
to penetrate, would ease gas exchange.
Sammy BOUSSIBA, Ben-Gurion University:
Green Solutions to Global Problems
The working group on algae at Ben-Gurion University consists of 30 people, including
students. Many papers are published by this group concerning research in algae parc
with various algae cultivation systems.
The main factor limiting long term productivity in algal ponds is solar energy 100 %.
Scattering and reflecting leads to 10 % loss, absorption spectrum leads 50 % loss, …
Productivity is limited physically to 24 g/m2/day or 80 t/ha or 30-40 t of oil /ha.
Today the production is low, in real systems productivities of 11 g/m2/d are reached. A
large PBR system is installed in Israel which is the place with the highest radiation of
the world, thus cooling of the PBRs is necessary.
GIAVAP is a FP7 project on genetic improvement of algae for value added products. It
has a budget of 5,7 mio EUR and was funded 2010. The scope of this project is to
develop robust strains, understand ways to manipulate oil production rates and to
identify the mechanisms involved in oil accumulation.
The key message is that algae biofuels need long-term R&D in all areas and even if
successful, resource limitations will restrict the potential and aqua-biofuels can not
replace cheap crude oil or cure global warming. Nevertheless algal biomass can
become a valuable part of future energy supply.
Discussion:
Genetically modified organisms
Mistakes that have been made with GMOs before have to be avoided. GMOs for
pharmaceuticals or medicines are accepted but what is about GMOs for biofuels?
Novozymes sells GMO-made enzymes, but in this case the genome does not come
out. In case of algae, the genome will come out with the biomass so we have to be
careful not to make the mistakes that happened with agricultural crops, where
genomes have spread. Biosecurity is a big issue concerning algae GMO.
GMO is an important technology to use, but the potential and the threat should not be
overestimated. Another technology used could be selective breeding, as currently
research is focussing on about 20 algae strains although there are millions out there.
Biotechnology and technical challenges
Page 16 of 21
GMO may provide major breakthroughs that could not be achieved with selective
breeding. If Haematococcus (30 % lipid, 50 % carbohydrate) could be stopped
producing carbohydrate, it could probably produce 60 % lipid. Probably GMO could
place the lipid in the algae cells in places where it is easier to access, that would also
be a major breakthrough.
How can we reach the price of oil?
The price of oil from microalgae is still far away from the price of crude oil. When the
crude oil is gone, then price will not be the issue.
If we work on cheap cultivation of algal biomass, then any of these pathways can be
supported; e.g. Aurora has stopped considering biofuels production, but the knowledge
gained is helpful to produce algal biomass for other purposes.
Researchers on macroalgae and on microalgae are not very much communicating with
each other, therefore they are reinventing instead of building on the knowledge of one
another. In Europe there is only a small number of places to grow macroalgae (e.g.
Norway), because they usually are not grown on land but off-shore. Macroalgae can be
an interesting alternative for all types of biofuel except for biodiesel. PetroAlgae (USA)
is now growing Lemna (they call it microcrop) in sewage water for carbohydrates,
which is not an algae but another aquatic biomass.
Status of research in algae use for biofuels and future
perspectives
Natascia BIONDI, University of Florence:
Taxonomy
The taxonomy is one of the deliverables of the AquaFUELs project. Due to the high
complexity of algal taxonomy and evolutionary relationships, this document was
conceived as an instrument to place the algae that have arisen an interest for biofuel
production within the correct frame.
The species list is based on literature, results of the AquaFUELs questionnaire and
discussion among partners. In the annex of the deliverable a list of culture collections
already established is given.
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Gabriel ACIÉN-FERNANDEZ, University of Almeria:
Cost analysis of microalgae production
For cost estimation a process flowchart is better than a block diagram, because it is
very technology specific. Size and type of equipment, life time and taxes, consumables
and utilities and manpower have to be considered for cost estimation.
Production cost is mainly a function of culture volume. At larger scale the production
costs diminish mainly due to reduction in labour and cost of equipment. PBR
constitutes the major costs of equipment. Costs can be reduced (PBR, CO2, nutrients).
Only the operation of microalgae cultures near their maximum theoretical values and
the utilization of effluents (flue gases and wastewater) as raw materials will allow
producing microalgae biomass competitive for biofuels market.
Liliana RODOLFI, Fotosyntetica & Microbiologica S.r.L.:
Current state of research
Annular columns PBR are only suitable for research, small scale production and
inoculum production. With Green Wall Panel system and Nannochloropsis (60 % lipids)
a productivity of 70 t/ha/yr could be reached. More than half of the energy produced in
biomass must be invested into mixing and cooling in green wall panels. The cost of this
PBR system is close to that of open ponds. The research is now on reducing the cost
of mixing and cooling and maximising the volumetric productivity.
Attila WOOTSCH, MFKK Hungary:
Novel approach of funding algae related applied research for the benefit of
SMEs
MFKK Invention and Research Centre is involved in multidisciplinary research projects.
In algae business they are involved in biosensors and mechanical engineering. Now
there is an FP7 call on capacities on the benefit of SMEs (FP7-SME-2011-BSG).
MFKK has an idea for a new type of bioreactor (innovative biofilm reactor design). The
ALGADISK project proposal was prepared for the call. MFKK thinks economic analysis
can be put into a software. MFKK would be the research and management partner.
Status of research in algae use for biofuels and future perspectives
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Guido DE JONGH, CEN:
Standardisation: a tool to create a new market for new and innovative fuels
CEN (European Committee for Standardization) is not a part of the European
Commission EC, but it is recognized by the European authorities as one of the three
bodies for standardisation for the EU. European standards are legally voluntary. Diesel
and petrol standards are frequently part of the legal documents in national legislation.
Standards are tools to create new markets, to build up confidence between producer
and supplier and to define the quality of the product.
Is there a business case for algal biofuels? Political, economic, environmental and
technical issues have to be considered. A CEN Workshop Agreement for algal fuels
would help to create a new market for these fuels by having common specifications.
Standardisation can be used to spread innovation and confidence in algae fuels.
Dina BACOVSKY, BIOENERGY 2020+:
IEA Task 39 report on algae biofuels
IEA Bioenergy Task 39 deals with commercializing liquid biofuels. A recent publication
is a report on current status and potential for algae biofuels production. The report was
elaborated by a team of authors from within or close to the task group: Al Darzins and
Philip Pienkos of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory NREL, USA, and Les
Edye, BioIndustry Partners, Australia. It assesses the technical and economic
feasibility of liquid biofuels from algal biomass, and draws on an NREL report to the
Congress of the USA and on techno-economic analyses by the authors.
The basic concept of algae biofuels including cultivation, harvesting, high lipid content
in the cells, conversion to fatty acid methyl ester FAME, hydrogenation-derived
renewable diesel HDRD or jet fuel is well known but still no algal biofuels industry
exists. Current commercial production of algae biomass is around 9000 t/a either in
open ponds, photobioreactors or fermenters, mainly for the production of high-value,
low-volume food supplements and nutraceuticals. There are no low-cost options for
algal harvesting, nor is the extraction of the algal oil really solved. The high water
content not only in the cultivation system but also in the algal biomass itself poses
problems to downstream processing. The economic analysis shows that currently
algae biofuel production is not economically viable, but it is potentially viable.
Regarding the potential of algal biofuels to replace fossil transport fuels, the authors
conclude the following: It is likely that a significant amount of research and a number of
breakthroughs are needed to make algal biofuels a commercial reality. Assuming
success in the first commercial venture and accelerated rates of adoption beyond
2015-2020, the potential contribution of algae biofuels to the global transport fuel
demand would be 5 % of the biofuels supply by 2030.
AquaFUELs Roundtable
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AquaFUELs Roundtable
Philippe MORAND, CNRS:
Macroalgae valorisation
Eutrophication is a problem e.g. at Brittany coast and in the Baltic sea. Algae blooms
are often harvested and dumped inland, but then after decomposition the nutrient juice
runs back to the sea and enables a continuous green tide.
Algal blooms should be harvested and either used for composting or biomethanation to
reduce the nutrient flow back into the sea.
Nuno COELHO, AlgaFuel:
Algae for Energy and CO2 sequestration
Algae projects have to be developed in steps. First thing to consider are constraints of
local conditions.
AlgaFuel has a pilot facility at a cement factory. They use their flue gas without
pretreatment. Remaining heat from the factory may be used for sterilisation, drying, but
sometimes also cooling of the photobioreactors is required. One major problem of this
co-siting is the fact that when the factory stops production, they do not have supply of
flue gas for the algae.
Discussion:
Main technological aspects in biotechnology will be described for the main ca. 10
strains within the AquaFUELs project.
Algae do not really sequestrate CO2, as its emission is only postponed when the algae
are used later on.
In the discussion a few questions remained unanswered: What is small scale for
aquafuel production in Africa? Are some values simply the extrapolation of laboratory
experiments? We should be realistic when giving scenarios, and have to be very
pragmatic – what can be feasible? Might there be climatic changes in desert area when
building aquatic facilities?
Status of research in algae use for biofuels and future perspectives
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4
Annex
AquaFUELs Roundtable Programme
AquaFUELs Roundtable Participants
AquaFUELs Roundtable
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